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© Helen Rienits 2010

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry: Author: Rienits, Helen.Title: Out of the depths: bible studies on depression and hope / Helen Rienits.Edition: 1st ed.ISBN: 9780908284986 (pbk.)Subjects: Depression, Mental – Religious aspects – Christianity. Hope – Religious aspects – Christianity.Dewey Number: 248.8625

Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, no part of this work may be reproduced by electronic or other means without the permission of the publisher.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the New International Version of the Bible. Copyright ©1973, 1978 International Bible Society. Used by permission.

Cover design and text layout by Les Colston, www.zealart.com.au.Cover photo: Donovan Wilson/Streamline Trees.Printed by Openbook Howden Design & Print, Adelaide.

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Who will benefit from this book?

"is book is designed for use by those experiencing mental and emotional illness, as well as those who would like to improve their skills in caring for people in this situation.

It is designed primarily for use by groups, but is also of benefit to individuals wanting to learn more about anxiety and depression.

In the group setting, this series of ten studies may be used as a tool for Christian churches or fellowships to help support and encourage those in their group who are struggling with depression or anxiety. "is book can also provide a format for a ‘depression group’ to follow as they help each other to cope with their illness. "is is particularly important, as group interaction is an important aid in the recovery process.

"ese studies also provide some biblical teaching on the special spiritual problems that arise for those who are struggling with mental and emotional illness, as well as some basic medical knowledge to help those who su#er understand more about their problems and what can be done to help.

If you are struggling in the above areas, this book will help you to learn

problems

is your problem to deal with

with him

How to use this book

Each study should take about 1$–2 hours depending on your group. If you are leading a group, try to keep the group on track but allow time for those who need to share. Try to give everyone a chance to say something. "is is not easy, as there are some people who will want to tell their life stories and others who will not want to talk at all. Ideally, the group should not have more than ten people.

You may find it helpful to have tea, co#ee and light refreshments available in an adjacent room, and encourage people to help themselves whenever they wish.

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Sometimes people just need a little time out from the group and this can give them ‘space’. A box of tissues may be useful also. Try to keep the atmosphere as relaxed and casual as possible and to inject a little humour wherever appropriate. Confidentiality is important and a list of names of group members should not be available for public scrutiny.

At the back of this booklet you will find a full set of notes to accompany each study.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my husband Ian Rienits and my friends Libby Wilson and Julie Sinfield for their love, encouragement and practical assistance as I have written this book.

I would also like to thank the people of St Paul’s Shellharbour who were so willing to be my ‘guinea pigs’ as we worked through the studies together.

Finally I would like to acknowledge my patients who have taught me so much. I salute you as you struggle on so courageously despite your depression and anxiety.

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Welcome to our depression and anxiety support group. "is group is designed for those who

support to understand what is happening and what they can do about it

understand, learn from and reflect on the experience

learn how they can help and support those they love."ere are ten studies in this book – try to complete as many of them as possible. You do not need to do any homework or preparation, and you should feel free to share as much or as little about yourself as you feel comfortable to share. All the Bible references we are looking at will be printed in the notes using the New International Version."is book is not designed to be an ‘in-depth’ theological study, as people who are struggling with depression and anxiety are often not able to cope with that. It is also not designed to be a medical textbook, although, as a general practitioner, I have provided some medical explanations that have helped my patients understand what they are going through.If you work through the studies and discussion questions as a group, there are a few things to bear in mind:

let others have their own opinions

constraints and let others have a chance to share as well

the group if you wish, but be careful to maintain the confidentiality of others in the group

remember that some people find it very di!cult to maintain confidences or recall where they heard certain information

even mention the names of others in the group.I hope and pray with all my heart that you will find these studies of great help and comfort in your journey with the Lord.Yours in Christ,

Helen Rienits

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Depression – What is it? How do you know if someone is depressed?

"is study is intended to introduce the subject of depression and give a general overview of the main issues surrounding it. It is also an opportunity for people to get to know each other if this book is being used in a group setting. Don’t try to go into great depth, as most of the issues will be dealt with again in later studies.

We all have days when we feel down. However, if these days turn into weeks and it becomes di!cult to keep going with day-to-day living, then you may be su#ering from the illness known as depression. It is not a personal weakness and it is not a trivial illness. "ere are a number of causes, and some people are more vulnerable to developing it than others. Your genes, world view and life stresses will all play a part.

"e symptoms of depression include:

Having three or more of the above symptoms for three or more weeks might mean that you have depression. People with depression often do not know what is wrong and will sometimes develop other symptoms as the body tries to tell them that something is not right.

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Psalm 88:1–18

We don’t know much about the writer of this psalm, Herman the Ezrahite, but he does express clearly what it is like to be in the depths of the ‘black hole’ of depression. He is a songwriter and he uses his gift to express pain and despair very e#ectively. For those who are or have been in that black hole, you will understand that pain and may find that his words help to express some of your feelings too. Words such as these are included among the psalms so that we can use them as our

1O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you. 2May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.

3For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave. 4I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength. 5I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut o! from your care.

6You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. 7Your wrath lies heavily upon me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. 8You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape; 9my eyes are dim with grief.

I call to you, O LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you. 10Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you? 11Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction? 12Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?

13But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you. 14Why, O LORD, do you reject me and hide your face from me?

15 From my youth I have been a"icted and close to death; I have su!ered your terrors and am in despair. 16Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me. 17All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me. 18You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend.

who saves me’. Despite his trouble and pain he reminds himself that the one

to hang on to this belief even in your blackest moments? If you couldn’t, how would/did you feel?

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2. Verses 3–5: Here the writer appears to be crying out from the brink of death.

might be the di#erence between being mentally and physically on the brink of death?

4. Verse 8: Even the writer’s friends are gone, and he feels that they have left him because he has become repulsive to them. Often when people are depressed they withdraw from their friends. Why do you think this happens?

from the grave. Is he at the point of giving up? What could you say to him?

know why he has to su#er like this. Is this a helpful question to ask? Why or why not?

5 Out of the Depths Study 1 6

7. Verses 15–18: "e writer looks back over his life and says that he has been su#ering for a long time. Is he exaggerating, or can people be depressed all their lives?

Admitting that you have depression is the first step to recovery. It is important to know that however bad you may be feeling now, you will get better, and there are many things that can help.

8. Why is it often so hard to recognise depression in yourself or in others?

9. Why is it hard to seek treatment? How could you encourage someone who is depressed to get help?

Many people are embarrassed about having depression and are afraid to admit it. Sometimes family, friends and church members have not been very sympathetic in the past and this makes it hard to talk about. Depressed people may try to ignore or deny their pain, hoping it will go away. Sometimes they will try to cover it up by playing the clown and laughing it o#. Most often, they hide away and withdraw from their friends and activities they once enjoyed. "ey avoid church and other social situations.

10. What other unhelpful things can you think of that depressed people do?

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"ere are many helpful things that depressed people can do to manage and treat their depression.

11. Consider the following lifestyle changes which can help depression. What could you do to implement these?

a day

12. It is also important not to underestimate the value of talking about how you are feeling. Who can you talk to? What are the pros and cons of talking to these people?

13. Cognitive Behavioural "erapy and Interpersonal "erapy are common counselling techniques used by professionals to treat depressed people and they can be very helpful. Do you think Christians should have counselling? Who from?

Nerve cells in our brains transmit messages to each other using chemicals called neurotransmitters. "ere are many di#erent types of neurotransmitters and scientists have discovered that inadequate amounts of a neurotransmitter in the brain can cause a neurological illness. Depression results when the quantities of neurotransmitters called serotonin and noradrenalin are reduced. Medications

7 Out of the Depths Study 1 8

called antidepressants work by reversing some of these changes. "ere are many di#erent types of medications, and most of them take some weeks to work. "e newer ones are very e#ective for most people. "ey are safe, have few side e#ects and are not addictive.

Brain message chemicals (neurotransmitters) act here,

transferring messages from one nerve cell to the next.

14. Should Christians take medication? Why is there a stigma attached? What would be your reactions to suggestions that you should take medication?

Close in prayer – for su#erers and those caring for them.

For more information about depression, you can visit the beyondblue website: www.beyondblue.org.au.

nerve cell

(neuron)

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